Step-ladder



(No Model.) 2 Sheets- Sheet 2. D. E. TBAL.

STEP LADDER. No. 421,843. Patented Feb. 18, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL E. TEAL, OF ONEIDA OASTIIE, NEV YORK.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 421,843, dated February 18, 1890.

Application filed April 29, 1889. Serial No. 309,017. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

`Be it known that I, DANIEL E. TEAL, of Oneida Castle, in the county of Oneida, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, of which the following,taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improved stepladder or stand, andhas for its object the production of a simple and effective device which can be closely folded together, thus requiring but little space when packed for shipment or stored when not in use; and to this end it consists, essentially, in a supportingframe for the step-ladder or stand, steps hinged to the supporting-frame, and an improved brace connecting the legs or supports ofthe step-ladder.

It. furthermore consists in the detail, construction, and arrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims. n

In describing my invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specilication, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is an isometric perspective of my improved step-ladder set up in position for use, clearly illustrating the general construction and arrangement lof the parts. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the stepladder in the position shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the step-ladder folded together. Fig. 4 is a vertical section, and Fig. 5 a rear elevation, of the step-ladder in the position shown in Fig. 3, clearly illustrating the relative construction and arrangement thereof. Fig. 6 is atop plan view of one of the steps, illustrating a portion of the frame of the step-ladder in section and the connection of the step thereto. Fig. .7 is an elevation of the extremity of the step shown in Fig. 6, illustrating the wearing-plate provided thereupon and the connection to the frame. Fig. 8 is a detail View illustrating the catch for holding the steps in position. Fig. 9 is an isometric detailview of the brace connecting the legs of the step-ladder. Fig. 10 is an elevation ofa modified construction of the step-ladder formed with steps on both sides thereof. Fig. ll is an elevation, partly in section, of the deviceillustrated in Fig. 9, shown partly folded together; and Fig. 12 is a detail view illustrating the catch provided upon the modified form of the step-ladder illustrated in Figs. 10 and'll.

A represents the step-ladder, the supporting-frame of which is composed of the front legs or supports A', arranged with a wider space between their lower extremities than their upper and hinged at a to the rear legs or supports a', arranged in like manner to the forward legs and braced by means of crossbars B B2, and B3.

B represents the side brace for holding the forward and rear legs apart when the stepladder is in position for use. This braceis composed of the separate divisions t) and b', hinged together at b2, so that the adjacent extremities of these divisions overlap each other, affording great rigidity thereto. The division Z2 is hinged at b3 tothe rear leg or support a', and the division b is hinged at h4 to the forward leg A. Formed or provided upon the inner extremity of the division b is the bend or loop b5, which, when the step-ladder is in its normal position, is adaptedV to cap over the adjacent extremity of the division b, thus further affording rigidity and preventing the divisions from being forced down-y ward, since the upper edge of the division b contacts against the under edge of the loop, thus preventing farther downward movement thereof.

When the step-ladder is set up for use and the cross-braces B are in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the stepladder is retained in the desired position, since strain applied upon the steps'would be unable to move the legs or supports A and ct together, as the cross-brace B is then in a horizontal line. These braces B, being prevented from downward or lateral movement by their peculiar construction, as described, further prevent the collapse of the step-ladder and insuregreat rigidity when in position for use. The steps O are pivoted, and

preferably at their forward edges, to the front,

legs A', and to prevent undue wear thereupon are preferably provided with the cap c, formed of sheet metal bent over the edge c of the.

step adjacent to the forward legs or supports IOO A and extended for a short distance along the top and bottom faces of said step. A washer c2 is then inserted between the leg or support A and the wearing-plate c, and a screw ci is forced through the said leg, washer, wearing-plate, and step, securely pivoting or hinging the step to the supporting-leg, and from the construction of the parts very little wear is occasioned bythe operating or folding of the step-ladder.

To support the stepA C in its normal operative position I form the longitudinal support or leg` A2, hinged or pivoted to which are the rearward extremities of the steps, and at the upper part of this support or leg I provide the catch D, for locking the step-ladder in operative position. This catch D is formed of the plate D of suitable material, secured to the support or leg A2 by screws or other suit-able means d, and provided with the upward lateral projection di and the shoulder d2, which shoulder is preferably formed by securing a second plate D2 upon the lower part of the pla-te D. The space between the shoulder d2 and the projection d is equal to the width of the cross-bar B3, secured at the upper part of the rear legs a', and the lower extremities of the plates D and D2 are pref-,

erably beveled, so that when the step-ladder is forced to its normal position the cross-bar B3, which is formed of spring metal, rides over the said plates, and when registered with the space between the shoulders d? and d is automatically locked therein byA the spring of the metal. The lower extremity of said leg A2 bears upon the ground or other support for the step-ladder, and thus by means of the catch D the steps are automatically locked in position when the stepladder is forced to its operative position.

'Vhen it is desired to fold the steps, by forcing upward the hinged extremities of the cross-braces B and forcing outward the crossbar B3, so that it is disengaged from the shoulders d and (Z2, it will be seen that the leg A2 can be forced upward, the steps folded upward, andthe legs or supports A and u. brought closely together, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and il.

At Figs. lO and ll I have shown a modified form of the step-ladder, which is formed with steps at the front and rear thereof. This construction is obtained by using twolegs A2 and placing the same on the outside of the steps instead of as illustrated in the previous figures of the drawings and by hinging these legs A*a to each other at their upward extremity and connecting them by the cross-braces B. This construction of step is very desirable for certain purposes, and by forcing upward the hinged divisions of the side brace B and the legs A2 thc folding of this construction of step-ladder will be accomplished in precisely the same manner as that illustrated in the previous figures.

y It will be observed that when weight is applied to the outward edges of the step-ladders in the construction illustrated in Figs. 10 and l1, there is a tendency for the stepladder to be forced out of operative position by the upward movement of the legs A2. To counteract this I secure on the underneath side of one or more of the steps at the forward edge thereof` a catch E, which, when the step-ladder is in operati ve position, is dropped or forced downward and bears at the rearward edge of the next lower step.

This construction of step is especially applicable for a stand for a show-window or other place where it is desirable to place a numberof articles for observation, and from its peculiar construction a great quantity can be placed thereupon,.and when not in use the device can be readily folded together and takes up but little room.

The parts of my improved device are simple in construction and effective in operation, and by my invention I produce an article which, while possessing all the usual qualities without increased cost of manufacture, can be closely folded together when not in use or when packed for shipment.

It will be understood that while the illustrated forms are the preferable construction of my improved device, considerable change may be made in the relative and detail construction and arrangement of the part-s without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I-Iaving thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a step-ladder, the combination of supporting-frame, steps hinged to said frame, and a spring-catch for locking said steps in their normal position, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of steps, supportinglegs for said steps, a screw :for hinging said steps and legs, and a supporting bar or leg hinged to the steps at the rear thereof for supporting them in their normal position, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a support o1' leg, a step hinged to said support, a wearing-plate interposed between said step and support, and a support at the rear of the steps for supporting the steps in their normal p position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

Il. The combination, with supporting-legs A hinged to rearward legs a', of the steps C, hinged to said supporting-legs, and a supportin g-leg Ai', interposed between the legs A and hinged at the rear of the said steps, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with supporting-legs A, hinged to rearward legs a', of the stepsG, hinged to said supporting-legs, a support or bar for supporting the legs in their normal position, and a spring-catch for automatically locking said bar to support the legs, substantially as specified.

G. The combination, with supporting-legs A', hinged to rearward legs a', of the steps C,

hinged to said. supporting-legs, a supporting- ICC IIC

leg A2, interposed between the legs A' and hinged at the rearof the said steps, and ay catch for locking said leg A2 in itsnormal position, substantially as'desc'ribed.

7. The combination of supporting-legs, braclng-legs hinged to said supporting-legs, steps hinged to said supporting-legs, a supportingleg A2, hinged to the rear of the steps, and a lug or catch upon said latter supporting-leg for engaging the rearward bracing-legs and holding the steps in their normal position, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the supportinglegs A', rearward legs d', and a spring-bar upon the legs a', of steps hinged to the legs A', a rearward leg A2, for supporting the steps in their normal position, and a catch upon said leg for engaging the spring-bar upon the legs a', substantially as speciiied.

. 9. The combination of the supporting-legs A', the rearward legs d', and a tie-bar between said legs A and a', composed of separate l0. In combination, the support A', the step C, the` wearing-plate c, and the pivotal screw C3, for pivoting said lstep to the support A', substantially as and for the purpose described.

'In testimony whereof I have hereunto,

signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county c of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 22d day of April, 1889.

DANIEL E. TEAL.

Witnesses:

CLARK H. NORTON, ARTHUR E. PARSONS. 

